Quick Answer: York PA Housing Market 2026
According to Redfin (March 2026), York's Redfin Compete Score is 86/100 ('Very Competitive'). Per the U.S. Census Bureau ACS (via DataUSA), York City's homeownership rate is 43.7% — over half the city rents. York County charges the standard Pennsylvania 2% transfer tax (1% buyer / 1% seller). Cash buyers typically offer 70–80% of fair market value and close in 7–14 days without repairs, showings, or agent commissions.
York PA Housing Market Report — 2026
Market data last updated: April 2026
Market Summary
York City is a very competitive seller's market. According to Redfin (March 2026), the city's Compete Score is 86/100 with homes receiving an average of 2 offers and selling in 34 days. Hot homes go under contract in approximately 5 days. The median sale price of $175,000 is well below the national average — creating an accessible entry point that fuels both investor and owner-occupant demand.
According to the York County Assessment & Tax Claim Office (yorkcountypa.gov), the county's Common Level Ratio is 50.46 as of July 2025 — meaning assessed values run approximately half of current market value. A property with an assessed value of $65,000 has an estimated market value of ~$129,000 under current CLR calculations.
York City Housing Metrics (Redfin, Mar 2026)
| Median sale price | $175,000 |
| YoY change | -1.1% |
| Price per sq ft | $99 |
| Median days on market | 34 days (hot homes: ~5 days) |
| Sale-to-list ratio | 99.0% |
| Compete Score | 86/100 — Very Competitive |
| Homes sold (Feb 2026) | 49 (+19.5% YoY) |
| Avg offers per home | 2 |
| Zillow ZHVI (city area) | $246,248 (+6.6% YoY) |
| ACS median property value (city) | $119,700 (DataUSA/ACS 2024) |
| York County ZHVI | $303,399 (+5.1% YoY) |
| York County price/sqft | $158 (Redfin) |
Neighborhood Price Breakdown
York City's neighborhoods vary significantly in price and investor activity. According to Redfin neighborhood data:
| Neighborhood | Median Price | YoY | Investor Interest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown York | $183,000 | -11.0% | Medium-High |
| Springdale | $209,000 | -12.9% | Medium |
| Southwest York | $175,000 | +10.8% | High |
| East Side | $160,000 | +3.2% | High |
| Northeast York | $120,000 | -10.3% | Very High |
| North York Borough | $180,000 | -0.1% | Medium |
Northeast York is the primary target for distressed cash buyers — prices $40K+ below city median, heavily renter-occupied, aging infrastructure with high deferred maintenance.
Transfer Tax & Closing Costs
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (pa.gov), the state realty transfer tax is 1% of the sale price. The City of York collects an additional 1% local tax under Article 355 of the York City Codified Ordinances (0.5% City + 0.5% York City School District), per yorkcity.org. Total transfer tax in York PA: 2.0%, customarily split 50/50 between buyer and seller.
Recording fees are collected by the York County Recorder of Deeds (yorkcountypa.gov). Deed recording: $86.25 base (4 pages, 4 names) + $20 per additional parcel identifier (effective Jan 1, 2025).
Example: $175,000 sale in York PA
- PA state transfer tax (1%): $1,750
- City of York local tax (0.5%): $875
- York City School District (0.5%): $875
- Total transfer tax: $3,500 (each party conventionally pays $1,750)
- Deed recording: $86.25 + additional fees
- When you sell to USA Home Buyers: we cover all closing costs — $0 out of your pocket
York County Assessor & Probate Resources
York County Assessment & Tax Claim
45 N. George Street, York, PA 17401
(717) 771-9232
yorkcountypa.gov/512 →York County Register of Wills
45 North George Street, Suite 2, York, PA 17401
(717) 771-9607 · M-F 8am-4:15pm
yorkcountypa.gov/385 →Get a Cash Offer for Your York PA Property
Written offer in 24 hours based on current York market data.
Related Resources
- Is York PA a buyer's or seller's market in 2026?
- What is the average home price in York PA?
- What neighborhoods in York PA are most affordable?
- What is the real estate transfer tax in York PA?
York PA Market FAQ
Is York PA a buyer's or seller's market in 2026?
York PA is a seller's market. According to Redfin (March 2026), York City has a Compete Score of 86/100 with homes selling at 99.0% of list price and a median of 34 days on market. Hot homes in York sell in approximately 5 days. Buyer demand outpaces available inventory in the city's lower price tiers.
What is the average home price in York PA?
York City's median sale price is $175,000 (Redfin, March 2026), down 1.1% year-over-year. The Zillow ZHVI for the broader York city area is $246,248 (+6.6% YoY). The ACS median property value for city residents is $119,700. York County (including suburbs) has a Zillow ZHVI of $303,399.
What neighborhoods in York PA are most affordable?
Northeast York has the lowest median prices in the city, around $120,000 (November 2025 data), with very high investor activity. Southwest York and the East Side also offer entry-level prices with active investor markets. Downtown York properties range higher due to the Colonial-era historic structures.
What is the real estate transfer tax in York PA?
York PA has a 2% total transfer tax — 1% Pennsylvania state (PA Dept. of Revenue) plus 1% local (0.5% City of York + 0.5% York City School District, per Article 355 of York City Codified Ordinances). It is customarily split 50/50 between buyer and seller. York City is not on Pennsylvania's deviation list, confirming the standard 2% rate. Source: pa.gov; yorkcity.org.